What are examples of simpler universes that have been described in order to explain a concept from our more complex universe?
post by Mati_Roy (MathieuRoy) · 2020-09-17T01:31:10.367Z · LW · GW · 2 commentsThis is a question post.
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Answers 3 rhollerith_dot_com 3 Mati_Roy 1 Mati_Roy None 2 comments
Sometimes there's a concept that can be difficult to understand when entangle with everything else that needs to be understood about our physics.
If you isolate that concept in a simpler universe, it makes it easier to explain how the concept works.
What are such examples?
(I feel like I asked a similar question somewhere at some point, but can't find it)
Answers
Euclidean geometry (which is 2500 years old), Newtonian physics and the special theory of relativity immediately come to mind.
Finally We May Have a Path to the Fundamental Theory of Physics…and It’s Beautiful explains some concepts from our universe in simpler universes
↑ comment by Viliam · 2020-09-18T21:38:32.875Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Relevant comment here [LW(p) · GW(p)]:
I think Wolfram's "theory" is complete gibberish. Reading through "some relativistic and gravitational properties of the Wolfram model" I haven't encountered a single claim that was simultaneously novel, correct and non-trivial...Replies from: MathieuRoy
↑ comment by Mati_Roy (MathieuRoy) · 2020-09-19T00:32:34.642Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
My question is definitely not limited to novel models. By all means, do let me know if you're aware of other toy models that have (and so can explain) relativistic-like properties, or share other interesting properties with out universe
Where Physics Meets Experience [LW · GW], and it's sequel Where Experience Confuses Physicists [LW · GW] tackles questions about consciousness and quantum physics, but instead the minds split in a spatial dimension which makes it easier to grapple with.
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comment by Mati_Roy (MathieuRoy) · 2020-09-17T01:36:32.982Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I remember an explanation of entropy / time / whether we could figure out all previous and future states of a universe from its current position, but that was using a simple square grid world. I can't find it back; anyone knows?
Replies from: Pattern